Bidar: The grant of Rs 2.45 crore from Dr. D Veerendra Hegde, a Rajya Sabha member, has been effectively utilized for the implementation of sustainable dairy development initiatives.
Hegde expressed, “While Dakshina Kannada district boasts a daily milk production of 1.30 lakh litres, Bidar district only manages 19,000 litres per day. Therefore, in the fiscal year 2022-23, funds were allocated to support dairy development initiatives in the economically challenged district. We believed it would be more beneficial to assist farmers rather than allocating these funds to projects like bus stands and road development.”
“At a price of Rs 10 lakh each, two milk producers’ cooperative societies in Bhalki, one in Aurad, and four in Humnabad are currently under construction. Additionally, an expenditure of Rs 81 lakh has been incurred to supply automated milk collection machines to 42 milk cooperative societies within the district,” he mentioned.
He stated, “Greasy testing equipment and weighing machines have been furnished to 20 milk producers’ cooperative societies. Additionally, equipment for milk procurement has been supplied to 29 milk producers’ cooperative societies, while furniture distribution is in progress for 38 societies.”
He mentioned that a group of 15 activists, including retired officials from KMF, are actively involved in dairy extension initiatives within the district as part of the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project.
He stated that a total of 40 milk producers’ cooperative societies, previously shut down in the district, have now been reactivated. This revival has resulted in a significant daily increase in milk collection through the milk federation, rising from 19,000 liters to 35,000 liters. The application of equipment has notably enhanced the milk’s quality.
